Understanding AYA Cancer and Finding Support
If you're a young adult who has been diagnosed with cancer, you're not alone—even though it might feel that way. Cancer in adolescents and young adults (AYAs), typically defined as those aged 18-39, is on the rise globally, and it's becoming a growing health crisis that demands attention and understanding.
The Alarming Rise in Young Adult Cancer
The statistics are startling and impossible to ignore. The global incidence, or rate of new cases, of early-onset cancer increased by 79 per cent between 1990 and 2019, according to a separate study of 29 types of cancer in 204 countries and regions published in 2023 in the journal BMJ Oncology. Early-onset cancer deaths increased by nearly 28 per cent in the same period.
In the United States, the trend is particularly concerning for women. Cancer incidence rates "in women under 50 are now 82% higher than their male counterparts, up from 51% in 2002." This isn't just a statistical blip—it's a genuine medical emergency that's reshaping how we think about cancer.
See also: Rising Cancer Rates Among Millennials: Jay Abramovitch’s Story
What Types of Cancer Are Affecting Young Adults?
Men and women in the prime of their lives are increasingly being diagnosed with serious cancers, including colorectal, breast, prostate, uterine, stomach (gastric), pancreatic, and more. One forecast predicts cancer for this age group will increase by 30% globally from 2019 to 2030.
The pattern appears to be generational. Members of Generation X and millennials are developing some types of cancer at about twice the rates that earlier generations did at the same ages. If you were born in the 1980s, 1990s, or early 2000s, you're part of a cohort that's experiencing unprecedented cancer rates for your age group.
Why Is This Happening?
While researchers don't have all the answers yet, several factors may be contributing to this troubling trend:
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Scientists are investigating how changes in our environment and lifestyle since the 1960s and 70s might be affecting cancer rates. A leading hypothesis for this demographic turning point is that late Generation Xers and millennials were the first to partake from childhood in unhealthy habits that are now staples of modern life, including sitting most of the day, sleeping poorly and eating meals laden with ultra-processed food, refined sugar and cured meat.
The Gut Microbiome Connection
Emerging research suggests that our gut health plays a crucial role. "We found that younger people with colorectal cancer had less diversity in their microbiome than older patients," says Dr. Mendelsohn. "And the makeup of the two groups' microbiome is different too." That's important because more diversity generally means better health.
Obesity and Hormonal Factors
"We know obesity causes inflammation, which can lead to cancer," explains Dr. Goldfarb. "We believe that plays a role and needs to be addressed. But it doesn't fully explain the growing rates of young women with breast cancer."
Other Potential Culprits
Other possible culprits include stress, increased use of antibiotics in childhood and exposure to air pollution and pesticides. Obesity, which is more common today in young adults than it was two generations ago, is also a well-established risk factor for some cancers.
The Unique Challenges of AYA Cancer
Being diagnosed with cancer as a young adult presents challenges that older patients don't typically face. Younger adults usually have full-time jobs, mortgages and children at home. Their financial needs are different from those of the retirees who still account for the vast majority of cancer patients. So are their mental-health needs. Facing death at 40 is not the same as staring it down at 85.
The Isolation Factor
Perhaps one of the most difficult aspects of young adult cancer is the profound sense of isolation. "It is a very lonely experience for young people," said Jennifer Catsburg, a clinical nurse specialist with the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, part of Toronto's University Health Network. "Their siblings, their cousins, their friends, their peers, their colleagues at work – not many, if any, of them are facing a cancer experience."
Delayed Diagnosis
Young adults often face delays in diagnosis because they're considered "too young" for cancer. One Canadian-led meta-analysis – a review of 39 international studies – found that when colorectal cancer patients younger than 50 experience delays in cancer care, those delays usually occur before they're diagnosed. Younger patients were at higher risk of presenting with advanced cancer than their peers over 50, the study found.
Life Stage Disruptions
Young adulthood is typically a time for building careers, starting families, and establishing independence. Cancer can disrupt all of these goals, affecting everything from fertility to financial stability to relationship dynamics.
The Importance of Support Groups for Young Adults
Given these unique challenges, specialized support for young adults with cancer isn't just helpful—it's essential. Connecting and sharing with other young adults with cancer can be an important part of the healing process. Although there are many information resources for cancer, it can be difficult to find information meant specifically for teens and young adults.
Support groups provide several critical benefits:
Peer Understanding: Connect with others who truly understand what you're going through
Practical Advice: Learn from others navigating similar challenges with work, relationships, and treatment
Emotional Support: Find a safe space to express fears, frustrations, and hopes
Reduced Isolation: Combat the loneliness that often accompanies a young adult cancer diagnosis
Information Sharing: Access age-appropriate resources and coping strategies
How Young Adults Find Support
Young adults with cancer learn about online support through individual personal recommendations, advocacy organizations, or searching on Google or social media. Most were reluctant to use social media support initially because of feeling overwhelmed—from diagnoses, abundance of online information, or demands of participation—and joined when informational and emotional needs arose. Many wished they had joined earlier.
Dedicated AYA Cancer Support Organizations
Several organizations specifically focus on supporting adolescents and young adults with cancer:
AYA Cancer Connect (ayacancerconnect.com) serves as a comprehensive hub for adolescents and young adults aged 15-39 with cancer. This organization recognizes that "if you're an AYA with cancer, this site is here for you—to make cancer more understandable, more manageable, and most importantly... to let you know that you are not alone." They offer AYA Facebook groups, live chat apps and discussion boards, virtual support groups, education materials, financial resources, videos and podcasts, plus information about upcoming events for the local, regional and national AYA community.
Stupid Cancer (stupidcancer.org) is another leading organization dedicated to making "adolescent and young adult cancer suck less." Their mission is to empower everyone affected by AYA cancer by ending isolation and building community. Stupid Cancer provides both digital and in-person opportunities for AYA cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones to connect, offering programs and services including annual conferences specifically designed for young adults navigating cancer.
You Don't Have to Face This Alone
If you're a young adult dealing with cancer, remember that seeking support isn't a sign of weakness—it's a sign of wisdom. The challenges you're facing are real and unique, and there are people and organizations specifically dedicated to helping you navigate this difficult journey.
Whether you're looking for practical advice about managing work during treatment, emotional support from peers who understand, or simply a community where you don't have to explain what you're going through, support is available.
Man Up to Cancer is one organization that understands the unique needs of young adults facing cancer. Man Up to Cancer inspires men to connect and avoid isolation during their cancer journeys. As a leading support community for men impacted by cancer in North America, we offer peer-to-peer support, an annual retreat, chemo backpack program, learning opportunities, and more than 40 local chapters geared toward improving the quality of life of our members.
When faced with cancer, women tend to "reach out," and men tend to "check out." This leads men down the path toward mental health problems, strained relationships, and poor medical outcomes. It's time for a new path. We are changing what it means to "Man Up." It's not just about being tough. It means having the courage to accept help, and knowing we are smarter and stronger as a pack than we are as lone wolves.
If you're struggling with a cancer diagnosis and feeling isolated, consider reaching out to Man Up to Cancer or other support organizations. Your age doesn't make your cancer less serious, and it certainly doesn't mean you should face it alone. Support groups specifically designed for young adults with cancer understand your unique challenges and can provide the community and resources you need.
Take the first step—reach out, connect, and remember that seeking support is one of the strongest things you can do. You have the courage to fight cancer; now have the courage to accept help along the way.
